Someone apparently forgot to give the head of the United Autoworkers union the memo as Congress wants the Big Three automakers to bring a business plan to Washington if they expect to get any parts of the proposed $25 billion bailout package.  UAW chief Ron Gettelfinger on Sunday made a public plea for the government’s help for the automakers, specifically calling on Congress to approve the package when they meet during a special session on December 8.

According to Gettelfinger, the rescue plan is…

“not a bailout, this is a loan – a bridge loan – that will get us through until we can take a longer-term look at exactly what needs to be done in the industry.”

Yeah Ron, whatever.  I wonder if he has forgotten that this is the taxpayers’ money that subsidizes stuff like this.  Any concessions that you may be proposing either now or in the short-term future can and should be realized once at least one of the automakers decide to wise up and file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  That’s the only feasible and reasonable solution that’s available if the automakers want to get their act together and quit making repeat visits to Congress’ buffet table.